Orleans celebrates the winter shivers, First ever Winterlude events in Orleans

Posted Feb 9, 2012 By Brier Dodge

EMC news - Orleans residents won't have to travel outside their own backyard if they want to participate in Winterlude events this year.

For the first year, Fete Frissons - translated into English as "Shiver Celebrations" - will run at the Shenkman Arts Centre.

"People don't have to go downtown to enjoy the same kind of thing they would there," said Heart of Orleans BIA executive director Anita MacDonald. "This is right here in their community."

Events include a pancake breakfast, outdoor skating, crazy tuque competition, snow painting, ice carving, warm taffy, skating exhibitions, local music and winter craft activities.

All events except for the pancake breakfast and taffy are free for all who attend, keeping with the Winterlude tradition of free family activities.

"The development of this event is two-fold," MacDonald said. "The BIA wants to plan more community events that bring people to the street. This is an opportunity for us to join with them and do that."

Winterlude has always strongly represented Ottawa's arts and culture scene, and expanded from the downtown location this year with events hosted at both the Shenkman Arts Centre and Centrepointe Theatre in Nepean.

The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the OYP Theatre School's performance on the ice at 11 a.m.

The event is a chance for groups like the theatre school to show off through performances, craft stations and displays.

MacDonald said there will be plenty of bilingual guides to assist families in finding the best activities.

While the Heart of Orleans BIA has its fingers crossed for great weather for the skating rink, there is a lot of indoor space if need be.

If it is too warm - or too cold - all events will still run, with the OYP Theatre School performing indoors in a dance studio.

"It's the first time we've brought something like this to Orleans," MacDonald said. "I'm hoping it generates a lot of buzz."

brier.dodge@metroland.com